Course Overview
Spain is a cornerstone of modern wine education. In this advanced certification program, students will explore the depth and diversity of Spanish wine on a regional level through guided tastings, cultural analysis, and structured comparative evaluation. Designed as part of the National Wine School’s Advanced and Master certification tracks, the Spanish Wine Specialist course offers a comprehensive understanding of one of the world’s great wine nations—far beyond the cursory treatment it receives in most U.S. programs.
Over eight weeks, students examine each major region through historical context, essential benchmarks, and the modern revivalists shaping Spain’s current identity. Each session pairs academic precision with a narrative understanding of why these wines matter—linking sensory experience to geography, climate, and culture.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the major wine regions of Spain and their defining grape varieties.
- Analyze how geography, climate, and winemaking technique influence wine style and quality.
- Conduct professional tastings using advanced sensory and comparative methods.
- Articulate the historical, cultural, and economic forces that define modern Spanish wine.
- Develop a professional-level marketing or educational presentation on a Spanish or Portuguese region.
Course Structure
| Week | Region / Theme | Key Focus |
|---|
| 1 | Green Spain | Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria — Albariño, Godello, Mencía, Sousón, Brancellao |
| 2 | The Basque Frontier | País Vasco and Navarra — Txakoli, Garnacha, Graciano, Cabernet blends |
| 3 | The Duero River | Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Toro — Tempranillo typicity by elevation, Verdejo |
| 4 | La Rioja: Tradition & Revolution | Classical vs. modern Rioja, Viura whites, Rioja Alta vs. Alavesa |
| 5 | The Kingdom of Aragon & Catalonia | Garnacha heartland: Aragón (Campo de Borja, Calatayud) and Catalonia (Montsant, Priorat, Cava, Sumoll, Xarel·lo blends) |
| 6 | Meseta to Mediterranean | Madrid, La Mancha, Murcia, Valencia — Bobal, Garnacha Tintorera, Monastrell, Mandó |
| 7 | Southern Spain & The Islands | Andalucía, the Canaries, Baleares — Sherry styles, Tintilla de Rota, Callet, Listán Negro |
| 8 | Portugal: The Iberian Finale | Douro, Dão, Bairrada, Alentejo — Baga, Touriga Nacional, blends; fortifieds (Port, Madeira) |
